Samsung exec outs smaller 8-inch Galaxy Note tablet for MWC

The phones keep getting bigger, the tablets keep getting smaller.

At this rate, the Galaxy Note phones and tablets will eventually be the same size.

Andrew Cunningham

Now that you've had time to digest our CES 2013 coverage, we're ready to pivot and start talking about the upcoming Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. One indication of what to expect there comes straight to us from Samsung Head of Mobile communications JK Shin: he told iNews24 that the company would be introducing an 8-inch Galaxy Note tablet at this year's MWC, a follow-up to last year's Galaxy Note 10.1.

While smartphones seem to keep getting bigger and bigger (and the Galaxy Note lineup itself is leading that charge), most tablet manufacturers are moving to make their tablets smaller. Amazon helped kick off the trend in 2011 with its Kindle Fire, and 2012 saw the introduction of several high-profile general-use tablets like Google and Asus' Nexus 7, and Apple's iPad mini. Samsung has sold smaller Android tablets before (the Galaxy Tab 7.0 and its sequel), but this new Note tablet would presumably add the lineup's signature S Pen and active digitizer to the mix, perhaps along with some of the multitasking capabilities found in the larger Note.

We weren't thrilled by the Note 10.1's build quality or price in our original review, but given the popularity of the Galaxy Note smartphones, we could see finding room in our bag for a more compact (and hopefully more solid) version that makes productivity apps its bread and butter. We don't really know anything else about the tablet at this point, but we would guess that it would ship with an Exynos 4 or Exynos 5 processor, a price somewhere between $200 and $300, and the Jelly Bean version of Android (either 4.1 or 4.2; the version 4.1 update just started rolling out to the Wi-Fi version of the Note 10.1).

Ars will be on the floor at MWC next month, and if Shin was right about his company's plans, we'll get you some proper hands-on impressions as soon as we're able.

More like it is just joining Samsungs complete coverage of ever dimension between 3" and 10" leaving no gap greater than 1".

They've made an 8.9 and 7.7 inch ones before.

I think it's kinda interesting that it looks like the Nexus 10 shrunk down. I'd also go for a Nexus 7 but rather a 4:3 aspect ratio, and only Archos seems interested in making a high res 9.7 inch one (same res as the ipad3/4).

I've always though that RIM missed a big opportunity not incorporating digitizer pen technology into the Playbook. Especially with all of their "made for business" marketing. I have always thought that one productive thing a tablet can do way better than a laptop is accept pen input. I feel like most companies are so concerned with emulating the iPad experience that they overlook this huge potential advantage. Ever since Steve Jobs condemned the stylus in his introduction of the original iPhone, no one has taken a decent stab at this potential product segment (except Samsung).

Good for Samsung bringing an affordable tablet to market that's designed to actually write on.

I can see the appeal because there are times I wish my phone had a larger screen but my criterion for buying includes being able to easily fit into the front pocket of my jeans which rules out most of the bigger models.

What they need to do is put a 5" screen into an iPhone sized chassis. Perhaps something that folded out!

That's going to be the real test. Neither the Note2 nor Note 10.1" are exactly budget-priced. If they can bring out an 8" tablet with high-res screen and active digitiser for under $300 it would be very desireable. But somehow I suspect it'll cost a bit more than that.

Has anybody else noticed Ars' virtual embargo on content about the Galaxy Note II? The Verge has done a great job of covering the phone, but Ars seems only to have had dismissive comments about it despite its having been a very popular device. I'm just curious, don't want to sound hysterical or anything. I mean, the Note 10.1 is a joke, but the Note II has sold really well and performed admirably in this user's (only slightly oversized) hands.

I'm looking for a good mobile tablet solution for drawing "professionally", I've done my research and grab some info here on this website.The best solution so far seams to be the (not yet released) Surface Pro, but we still need a good review to know more (I know you guys will be on it as soon as it's out)

Other alternatives I found :- Drawing with a magnetic pseudo pen on ipad or other similar tablets is definitely out of the way- The ModBook is way too expensive and heavy - Galaxy notes seam like good candidates, I'd go for the 10.1 or note II in bigger size, the 8" might be too small ... any plans for a 12" maybe ? hahaha - not sure but I heard Sony and HP have pen-tablets too ..

Anyway I'm pretty sure there are more I did not find nor hear about, so it would be great to see a good Ars " Guide to drawing tablets (tablet-PC and alikes) " !

@Dean0 : I agree with you, and I'm surprised wacom did not surf the "mobile tablet" wave yet (or did they ? but under cover)

I'm looking for a good mobile tablet solution for drawing "professionally", I've done my research and grab some info here on this website.The best solution so far seams to be the (not yet released) Surface Pro, but we still need a good review to know more (I know you guys will be on it as soon as it's out)

Other alternatives I found :- Drawing with a magnetic pseudo pen on ipad or other similar tablets is definitely out of the way- The ModBook is way too expensive and heavy - Galaxy notes seam like good candidates, I'd go for the 10.1 or note II in bigger size, the 8" might be too small ... any plans for a 12" maybe ? hahaha - not sure but I heard Sony and HP have pen-tablets too ..

Anyway I'm pretty sure there are more I did not find nor hear about, so it would be great to see a good Ars " Guide to drawing tablets (tablet-PC and alikes) " !

@Dean0 : I agree with you, and I'm surprised wacom did not surf the "mobile tablet" wave yet (or did they ? but under cover)

I seem to remember they did a ridiculous fan piece on how the iPad (I think it was "The New iPad") was a great solution for writing / drawing a little while ago completely ignoring the Android devices designed for this with Wacom pens as you noted. It had an aura of "look what this amazing iPad can do!" rather than bothering to point out that there were superior Android products (for drawing at least) and that all Android tablets (of a decent spec) are just as good as an iPad for that kinda stuff (Sketchbook from AutoDesk is a particularly excellent Android (and iOS) app for doing just this).

I'm looking for a good mobile tablet solution for drawing "professionally", I've done my research and grab some info here on this website.The best solution so far seams to be the (not yet released) Surface Pro, but we still need a good review to know more (I know you guys will be on it as soon as it's out)

Other alternatives I found :- Drawing with a magnetic pseudo pen on ipad or other similar tablets is definitely out of the way- The ModBook is way too expensive and heavy - Galaxy notes seam like good candidates, I'd go for the 10.1 or note II in bigger size, the 8" might be too small ... any plans for a 12" maybe ? hahaha - not sure but I heard Sony and HP have pen-tablets too ..

Anyway I'm pretty sure there are more I did not find nor hear about, so it would be great to see a good Ars " Guide to drawing tablets (tablet-PC and alikes) " !

@Dean0 : I agree with you, and I'm surprised wacom did not surf the "mobile tablet" wave yet (or did they ? but under cover)

I seem to remember they did a ridiculous fan piece on how the iPad (I think it was "The New iPad") was a great solution for writing / drawing a little while ago completely ignoring the Android devices designed for this with Wacom pens as you noted. It had an aura of "look what this amazing iPad can do!" rather than bothering to point out that there were superior Android products (for drawing at least) and that all Android tablets (of a decent spec) are just as good as an iPad for that kinda stuff (Sketchbook from AutoDesk is a particularly excellent Android (and iOS) app for doing just this).

There are pieces written about useful things you can do on iPads and iPhones because there are a great many people who own these things, and a great many apps which allow people do to a wide variety of things.

PS: I've tried writing a post about useful apps for Android, and Google Play seems overwhelmingly dominated with apps for playing pirated videos. You can watch porn on the bus lol!

That's an excellent question I personally don't want one larger than say 5 inches my EVO was perfect I think that was like 4.3 maybe?iPhone is still to small but those notes are just too big, for me, but they are selling them.

I can see the appeal because there are times I wish my phone had a larger screen but my criterion for buying includes being able to easily fit into the front pocket of my jeans which rules out most of the bigger models.

My Galaxy Note with a big flip-stand case fits in the front pockets of all except 1 of my 15 pairs of jeans.

But then again, I just buy whatever is cheap versus getting designer jeans that come with iphone-only pockets.

I am waiting for Samsung to come out with a galaxy note phablet with a pull out bluetooth earpiece. You don't have to look stupid holding a mini tablet to your head. You can answer the phablet by pulling out the bluetooth earpiece. It hangs up when you stick it back in its slot on the phablet (which charges the bluetooth earpiece. It could also use a loud speakerphone.

I am waiting for Samsung to come out with a galaxy note phablet with a pull out bluetooth earpiece. You don't have to look stupid holding a mini tablet to your head. You can answer the phablet by pulling out the bluetooth earpiece. It hangs up when you stick it back in its slot on the phablet (which charges the bluetooth earpiece. It could also use a loud speakerphone.

I can see the appeal because there are times I wish my phone had a larger screen but my criterion for buying includes being able to easily fit into the front pocket of my jeans which rules out most of the bigger models.

My Galaxy Note with a big flip-stand case fits in the front pockets of all except 1 of my 15 pairs of jeans.

But then again, I just buy whatever is cheap versus getting designer jeans that come with iphone-only pockets.

You must have very baggy jeans. I found that even when I had a tiny Nokia phone, it was still a snug fit in the front pocket, particularly if I sat down.

I can see the appeal because there are times I wish my phone had a larger screen but my criterion for buying includes being able to easily fit into the front pocket of my jeans which rules out most of the bigger models.

My Galaxy Note with a big flip-stand case fits in the front pockets of all except 1 of my 15 pairs of jeans.

But then again, I just buy whatever is cheap versus getting designer jeans that come with iphone-only pockets.

If the ipad camera was better, I'd use it all the time to pictures. Yes, it looks dorky to observers, but I could care less. Framing a picture on such a larger screen is really great, it's like a portable view camera, except the image is not upside down. I'm hoping that camera manufacturers develop really strong stand alone lens sensor combinations that connect a table/phone.

Andrew Cunningham / Andrew has a B.A. in Classics from Kenyon College and has over five years of experience in IT. His work has appeared on Charge Shot!!! and AnandTech, and he records a weekly book podcast called Overdue.